Relic and Image: The Archaeology and Social History of Indian Buddhism
ARHA 381
Spring 2008 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
EAST 381, ARCP 380 |
| Course Cluster: Southern Asia Studies |
This course investigates the social history and material culture of Indian Buddhism from the 5th century BCE through the period of the Kushan empire. The course begins with the examination of the basic teachings of Buddhism as presented in canonical texts and consideration of the organization and functioning of the early Buddhist community, or sangha. The focus then shifts to the popular practice of Buddhism in early India and the varied forms of interaction between lay and monastic populations. Although canonical texts will be examined, primary emphasis in this segment of the course is given to the archaeology and material culture of Buddhist sites and their associated historical inscriptions. Specific topics to be covered include the cult of the Buddha's relics; pilgrimage to the sites of the Eight Great Events in the Buddha's life; the rise and spread of image worship; and the Buddhist appropriation and reinterpretation of folk religious practices. Key archaeological sites to be studied include the monastic complex at Sanchi, the pilgrimage center at Bodh Gaya (site of the Buddha's enlightenment), the city of Taxila (capital of the Indo-Greek kings and a major educational center), and the rock-cut cave monasteries along the trade routes of western India. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
None |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ARCP-MN)(ARCP)(ARHA-MN)(ARHA)(ARST)(CEAS-MN)(CEAS)(CEAS-Phil/Reli)(GSAS-MN)(RELI-MN)(RELI) |
Major Readings:
Richard Gombrich, THERAVADA BUDDHISM: A SOCIAL HISTORY FROM ANCIENT BENARES TO MODERN COLOMBO
Mohan Wijayaratna, BUDDHIST MONASTIC LIFE ACCORDING TO THE TEXTS OF THE THERAVADA TRADITION
Gregory Schopen, BONES, STONES, AND BUDDHIST MONKS: COLLECTED PAPERS ON THE ARCHAEOLOGY, EPIGRAPHY, AND TEXTS OF MONASTIC BUDDHISM IN INDIA
F.R. Allchin et al. THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF EARLY HISTORIC SOUTH ASIA: THE EMERGENCE OF CITIES AND STATES
N.A. Nikam and R. McKeon, trs., THE EDICTS OF ASOKA
Kathryn Blackstone, WOMEN IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BUDDHA: STRUGGLE FOR LIBERATION IN THE THERIGATHA
Vidya Dehejia, "The Collective and Popular Basis of Early Buddhist Patronage"
James Fergusson and James Burgess, THE CAVE TEMPLES OF INDIA
I.B. Horner, tr. THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE (VINAYA PITAKA)
John C. Huntington, "Pilgrimage as Image: The Cult of the Ashtamahapratiharya"
Etienne Lamotte, "The Content of the Buddha's Teaching"
Janice Leoshko, ed. BODH GAYA: THE SITE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
Trevor Ling, "Monarchy, the City and Individualism"
Sir John Marshall and Alfred Foucher, THE MONUMENTS OF SANCHI
Sir John Marshall, TAXILA
Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn, "How were Societies Organized? Social Archaeology"
Frank Reynolds, "The Two Wheels of Dhamma"
Michael Willis, BUDDHIST RELIQUARIES FROM ANCIENT INDIA.
Liz Wilson, CHARMING CADAVERS: HORRIFIC FIGURATIONS OF THE FEMININE IN INDIAN BUDDHIST HAGIOGRAPHIC LITERATURE
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Examinations and Assignments:
Regular attendance and reading of all assigned materials. Active participation in class discussions. Several short essays; class presentation; term paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Admission to course requires permission of instructor. Preference is given to juniors and seniors who have done some prior coursework in Indian Buddhism, Asian art history, or archaeological studies. |
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